Medicare Advantage

Before you compare plans in Ocoee, here's what Star Ratings actually measure

For 2027, Ocoee is looking at 106 Medicare Advantage plans: 16 new, 33 gone since 2026, and 46 still here but changed on premium, deductible, plan type or name, 16 of them under a new name. Below, how the lineup shifted in Orange County and what to compare, with no plan ranked or recommended.

OCOEE, Fla. — With the fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period opening Oct. 15, a familiar set of numbers is back in front of shoppers in Central Florida: the Medicare Star Ratings. Each year around early October, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes updated ratings for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans — and for many people in Ocoee, this will be the first time they've looked at them since last fall.

The ratings can be helpful, but they are widely misunderstood. They are not a ranking, and a higher number of stars does not automatically mean a plan is the right fit for you. Here's a plain-English look at what the stars actually measure — and what they don't — before you start comparing options.

What the Star Ratings actually measure

Medicare Star Ratings are a quality scorecard CMS uses for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and standalone Part D drug plans. Plans are scored on a 1-to-5 scale, with 5 being the highest.

The ratings pull from dozens of individual measures, grouped into broad categories such as:

• Staying healthy — how well plans support screenings, tests, and preventive visits.
• Managing chronic conditions — how members with ongoing health needs are supported.
• Member experience — survey responses on how easy the plan is to deal with.
• Member complaints and changes in performance — including how often members leave the plan.
• Customer service — call center performance, appeals handling, and access to needed care.
• Drug plan measures — for Part D, things like accurate pricing, safe prescribing, and medication adherence.

Notice what's missing: the stars do not measure premiums, copays, or whether your specific doctor is in-network. Those are things you have to check separately.

When the new ratings come out

CMS publishes the updated Star Ratings each fall, typically in early October, so they are in place before Annual Enrollment begins on Oct. 15. That timing is deliberate — it gives shoppers a chance to see current-year quality scores as they compare plans for the coming year.

Ratings can move up or down from year to year. A plan that had four stars last fall may show a different score this fall, which is one reason it's worth re-checking even if you plan to keep your current coverage.

How to find the ratings for plans in Ocoee

Ocoee is in Orange County, where Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability is set at the county level. To see the current Star Ratings for plans available where you live:

1. Go to medicare.gov and open the Plan Finder. 2. Enter your ZIP code. 3. Each plan listed will show its overall star rating, and you can click in to see the category-level scores.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), available 24/7, to have a representative walk you through what's on the site.

Why the stars are only part of the picture

A high star rating tells you a plan generally performs well on the measures CMS tracks. It does not tell you:

• Whether your doctors and preferred hospitals are in the plan's network.
• Whether your prescriptions are on the plan's formulary and at what tier.
• Whether the plan's total yearly cost — premium plus expected out-of-pocket — fits your budget.

For 2026, some program-wide numbers to keep in mind while you compare: the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100, the Part D maximum deductible is $615, and the coverage gap has been eliminated in favor of three payment phases. There is also an optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan that lets you spread drug costs over the year in monthly installments. Higher-income beneficiaries may pay IRMAA surcharges, which begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Dates to circle this fall

• Early October: New Star Ratings posted on medicare.gov.
• Oct. 15 – Dec. 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
• Jan. 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

Getting free, unbiased help in Ocoee

Florida residents can get free one-on-one Medicare counseling through SHINE, the state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). SHINE counselors are volunteers trained to help you read Star Ratings, compare coverage, and understand your rights — with no sales pressure and no plan preference. You can reach SHINE by calling the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.